How Much Does an MLT Make in Helena, MT in 2026?
Typical pay for MLTs in Helena, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Montana.
BLS OES May 2025 · Helena metro area
A typical MLT in Helena, Montana earns $35.98 per hour, or $74,840 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $6,237 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $39,880, and the top 10% of earners make over $102,340.
That pay is 15% above the Montana figure of $65,190 and 19% above the national figure of $62,930. Helena ranks 1st of 5 metro areas in Montana for MLT pay. About 80 MLTs work in the Helena area.
MLT pay in Helena at a glance
- Typical pay is $35.98 an hour, or $74,840 a year.
- That is 15% above the Montana figure, ranking 1st of 5 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $39,880; the top 10% make over $102,340.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an MLT make in Helena?
Pay in Helena runs from entry-level positions at around $19.17 an hour to more than $49.20 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Montana and national figures.
MLT pay by career stage in Helena
| Career stage | Helena | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $39,880$19.17 an hour | $38,910$18.71 an hour | $38,910$18.71 an hour |
| First years | $59,750$28.73 an hour | $48,140$23.14 an hour | $47,650$22.91 an hour |
| Typical MLT | $74,840$35.98 an hour | $65,190$31.34 an hour | $62,930$30.26 an hour |
| Experienced | $79,640$38.29 an hour | $81,710$39.29 an hour | $81,450$39.16 an hour |
| Top 10% | $102,340$49.20 an hour | $97,070$46.67 an hour | $100,990$48.55 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Helena area as BLS defines it
How Helena compares with other Montana cities
Helena pays MLTs the most of any metro area in Montana. The lowest-paying area in the state is Great Falls at $59,320.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Helena | MLTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helena | $74,840 | $35.98 | this city | 80 |
| 2 | Billings | $68,440 | $32.90 | -9% | 190 |
| 3 | Missoula | $63,550 | $30.55 | -15% | 130 |
| 4 | Bozeman | $61,200 | $29.43 | -18% | 160 |
| 5 | Great Falls | $59,320 | $28.52 | -21% | 90 |
Every metro area in Montana with MLT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Montana typical pay $65,190
Is Helena a good place to work as an MLT?
MLTs in Helena earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $74,840 a year, 19% above the national figure. For every 1,000 jobs in the Helena area, about 1.8 are MLT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 2.0. MLT jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MLT make in Helena, MT?
- A typical MLT in Helena earns $74,840 a year, or $35.98 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $39,880 and the top 10% earn over $102,340.
- How much does an MLT make an hour in Helena?
- Typical hourly pay for MLTs in Helena is $35.98. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $19.17, and the top 10% earn over $49.20 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an MLT in Helena?
- Entry-level MLT positions in Helena typically offer around $19.17 an hour, or $39,880 a year.
- Is MLT pay in Helena higher than in the rest of Montana?
- Helena pay is 15% above the Montana figure of $65,190 a year, ranking 1st of 5 metro areas in the state.